Australia
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Australian Human Rights Commission
Membership: Full Member
Admitted: 1996 (Founding Member)
The Australian Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body that was established by Australia’s federal Parliament under the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.
The Commission’s role is to administer federal laws relating to human rights and discrimination. Its responsibilities fall within four main areas: public awareness and education; anti-discrimination and human rights complaints; human rights compliance; and policy and legislative development.
Under the legislation administered by the Commission, it has responsibilities for inquiring into alleged infringements under the:
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Racial Discrimination Act 1975
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Sex Discrimination Act 1984
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Disability Discrimination Act 1992
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Age Discrimination Act 2004
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Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986.
The Commission also has functions to foster public discussion; undertake and coordinate research and educational programs to promote human rights and eliminate discrimination; conduct national inquiries on human rights and issues of major importance; review, propose or advise on legislation relating to human rights and monitor its implementation; and make recommendations to government on policies and proposals related to human rights and discrimination issues.
Commission Members
The Hon. Catherine Branson QC
President and Human Rights Commissioner
Mr Graeme Innes AM
Disability Discrimination Commissioner and Race Discrimination Commissioner
Mr MIck Gooda
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner
Ms Elizabeth Broderick
Sex Discrimination Commissioner and Commissioner responsible for Age Discrimination
Legal Framework
Enabling legislation
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act 1986
Other legislation administered by the Commission:
Racial Discrimination Act 1975
Disability Discrimination Act 1992
In addition, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner has specific functions under the HREOC Act 1986 and under the Native Title Act 1993. These functions involve monitoring of the enjoyment or otherwise by Indigenous people of their rights under the law.
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